Friday, 27 December 2013

Well, the big day has been and gone for another year - even though it seems to come around quicker each year! I hope that everyone enjoyed their day, whatever they were doing - and that those of you facing some of the severe weather we've been having, have come through intact! We've had terrible gale force winds here in north west UK, but fortunately no loss of power like in so many other places. Even Tilly the Dog is not impressed and just wants to curl up in her cosy bed and snooze (probably a very wise thing to do!).

Our Christmas Day was a peaceful one, with 5 of us for a meal and a visitor later. Probably had far too much to eat and far too much chocolate - and a few glasses of bubbly stuff! A big game of Monopoly in the evening when my daughter's boyfriend proved himself something of a ruthless businessman and bankrupted us all! Then all sprawled out to watch a film together! So, all in all, a typical Christmas day. And now lots of leftovers to eat up, before we start preparations for New Year's Eve - and this year we're having some friends round to celebrate with us as I have to confess that my birthday is also on Dec 31st and this year is a 'significant' one. I finally reach the big '50'! So my friends have convinced me that we should mark the occasion by having a little celebration. I'll let you know how it goes!

A little card to share with you today (after all that waffle!) - a friend wanted a 'good luck' card, with a fairly simple design

I've used papers from LOTV, and also a LOTV sentiment stamp. The panel edges were die cut with a Joanna Sheen 'signature' die, and the butterfly flourish die is also from Joanna Sheen. I've cut the butterflies twice so I could layer them up with some pearls from stash.

And just a quick pic to share with you of my two babies on Christmas morning

Even though it looks like Jack is stood on a box! He's 15 now and 5'11" tall - and is so pleased to be able to tower over the rest of us! And my clever daughter Lauren just found out on the night before Christmas eve that she has got a place at University of Brighton to study for a PGCE after she finishes her degree next summer, so that she can be a primary school teacher. And I know she'll be just brilliant at it! But boy, am I going to miss her when she moves away :(

Anyway, enough waffling from me. I hope that you enjoy a peaceful weekend.

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Just a quick post from me to wish you all a very merry Christmas. And I hope 2014 is a very happy, healthy and peaceful one for you. Thank you so much for following my little corner of Blogland and for all your lovely comments and support - they mean so much.

A little pic of the one and only Tilly of 'Tilly's Crafts' as she waits for Father Christmas to come and put some presents in her stocking tonight

She's starting to look a little grey around the muzzle these days (although we don't mention it!) - and apologies for the glare on the photo from the lights & Tilly's eyes!

Saturday, 21 December 2013

Hello all and I hope that you're having a good weekend - and not rushing around too much getting ready for Christmas! Thankfully I finished work yesterday for 2 weeks - and I am so looking forward to getting some r&r time (fingers crossed!). The usual house full tonight and we're all off to the cinema tomorrow to see the new Hobbit film (have I ever confessed that I am a huge Lord of the Rings fan? I read the books when I was about 16, got hooked and have re-read them regularly since!).

A short post from me this evening - and then I'm off for a sprawl on the sofa lol! Another Christmas card - and I think that might be the last Christmassy one for this year (possibly!)

The backing papers are from LOTV with some kraft card and I've added some sheer ribbon from Joanna Sheen and a Christmas recipe tag from LOTV

Hope you like it!

I'll be back before Christmas - hopefully!

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments - I can't explain how nice it is to be able to share my attempts at various crafting creations and then to read your supportive and positive comments. They really do mean so much.

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Hello all and I hope that your week is going well? I'm looking forward to finishing work on Friday for a break - much as I'm enjoying my job, the last few weeks have been so busy (at home and work) that I'm ready for a break, and hopefully a little relaxation time! And I apologise if I haven't been round to visit your blogs lately, time has been at a premium but I'm hoping that I'll get chance for a little browsing on the web!

Something a little different to share with you today. I'd made a couple of these a little while ago and a colleague saw them at work and asked if I could make a couple for her

I've used fabric from Cath Kidston for the bags (which are great as make-up or toiletries bags)

And then lined them with spotty or gingham fabric. But please excuse some of the slightly dodgy blanket stitching! I always enjoy playing with fabrics and just made up these patterns as I went along!

I was also asked to make a card for a friend's daughter to give to her German teacher who was leaving. She wanted quite a simple card - suitable for a teacher (and a man!), so I came up with this!

I used coloured card to make the German flag for the background, and simply added a sentiment ("Goodbye and Good Luck" in German!) and some starburst flourishes from Joanna Sheen in gold mirri card. Hope it fits the bill!

Sunday, 15 December 2013

Hello all and I hope that your weekend is proving to be an enjoyable one! The usual comings and goings here - but as I had a couple of hours on my own yesterday (a very rare occurrence in this house!) I wrapped some presents for under the tree! How organised am I?! Don't be fooled! The "To do" list in my head is gathering pace even as I'm writing this lol!

Anyway, it's time to share a 'make it sparkle' mid-way inspiration card with you for our month long challenge over at Joanna Sheen. But before I share that with you, there is some news on the challenge blog from our Team Leader Paula :-

"I do however also have some very sad news that this will be the final challenge from the Joanna Sheen Challenge blog as money for advertising and PR is always in great demand and there are several other ideas that Joanna wants to pursue. I am gutted at this decision as running the challenge blog has been a huge part of my life over the last 2 years and I was so proud when we were named as Craft Beautiful's craft blog of the year 2012."

Needless to say, the Design Team were all gutted when we received this news a little while ago, and I will miss the challenge and the team such a lot. I was beyond excited when I was asked to join the DT and so feel so sad and disappointed that it's coming to an end - and just want to thank Paula and the rest of the team for having me! But do pop over to the challenge blog and read more about this, see the fabulous DT inspiration, and leave us a comment to let us know if you've enjoyed the challenge blog over the last 2 years!

I hope you can see the sparkle from all the stardust Sprinkles that I used, even though I'm rubbish at catching the 'sparkle' with a camera!

I've used pearl card on the based and some pearlised coredinations for the embossed panel, and some mirri card added for extra bling! The flower is a Spellbinders die with a pearl centre (from WOC). The lace is from stash.

So do pop over to the Joanna Sheen challenge and see the gorgeous creations from the DT - and join us for this final challenge (sniff!) with your sparkly creations.

Friday, 13 December 2013

Hello all and I hope that you've had a good week? I can't believe how fast the days are going at the moment. Do you think it's because we're heading towards the end of the year that it's like rolling downhill lol? Had a Christmas lunch at work yesterday - which was lovely - but then was so full I just felt like having a snooze for the rest of the afternoon! Today at work is 'Christmas Jumper' day in aid of Save the Children. I confess that I couldn't justify buying a Christmas jumper to wear just for a day - so will have to make do with tinsel, a flashing badge & an Elf hat (complete with pointy ears) - and No, I'm not taking pics!

And with the festive season just about upon us, it's time for the last challenge of the year over at CraftyCatz as all the DT take a little break to recharge crafting batteries. We'll be back in the new year with some fantastic new challenges and sponsors! But in the meantime our lovely Team Leader Carol (knowing how busy we all are just now) has given us everyone's favourite challenge 'Anything Goes'!

I've used a gorgeous stamp from LOTV

I've coloured this with a mix of copics and promarkers, with some added glamour dust of course (not sure what my Christmas cards would be like without some sparkle....)

The backing papers are from LOTV, and I've added a Spellbinders poinsettia. The little tag is also from LOTV

I must give the recipes on these stamps a try and see if they actually work!

Hope you like (yet another) Christmas card from me!

And don't forget to check out the fabulous creations from the DT over at CraftyCatz!

Tuesday, 10 December 2013

Hello all and I hope that your week has started well? We're into the last couple of weeks at work now before we break for Christmas for 2 weeks - and I am looking forward to a nice break! I don't like getting up in the dark and then arriving home from work in the dark lol! But there's a lot going on before we get chance to 'chill out'! And thankfully we've just about finished the decorating at home - remind me never to start painting and decorating at this time of year again! But now I can think about putting the Christmas tree up and getting all the fairy lights out lol!

Just a quick card to share with you today (and not a Christmas one for a change!) - one I made for a colleague for her son.

I've used a fabulous image from Mo's Digital Pencil, coloured with copics and pencils. The backing papers are from stash - I think the 'denim' one was from Joanna Sheen!

The birthday sentiment stamp is from Whimsy and I used some rub-on letters to make the 'Son' tag! Then just added a button and some embroidery thread!

Friday, 6 December 2013

Hello all and hope that you've had a good week? And it's the weekend - hurray! Thankfully my cold is feeling a lot better - thank you for all your good wishes! I just need to get the painting and decorating finished now - so we'll make a concerted effort this weekend to get it finished and then I can get my house back! How come when you're doing one area in a house it feels like the whole house ends up being in a mess? One of the great mysteries of life lol! But it's nearly time to dig out the fairy lights, baubles and tree - and then Christmas will be arriving in the house!

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge today over at Crafty Catz and this week it's yours truly who has picked the challenge of 'Use 2 or more dies' - a nice easy one for everyone! We're sponsored this week by Kenny K and I've used a great digi

I've coloured Santa's sleigh with promarkers and some added glamour dust. The papers are from K&Co and LOTV.

The present die cut is from Sizzix and the hanging star is from memory box. The sentiment and tag are from LOTV.

Do have a look at the fantastic inspiration from the DT at CraftyCatz and then join us with your creations and die cuts!

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Hello all and I hope that your week has been going well? I can't believe it's Wednesday evening - this week has flown past. And I'm sorely wishing that I hadn't started decorating at this time of year! Stressed isn't the word! I've had a grotty cold which hasn't helped, but am now desperately trying to get the painting and decorating done so that I can get my house straight - and then start on getting out the Christmas decorations! Hey ho! Thankfully I'd got this cute little image coloured up so I was able to put yet another Christmas card together - but I need to find some time to sit and start writing these cards out lol!

I've used the gorgeous image from Mo's Digital pencil and coloured it with copics and promarkers. I've added glossy accents, glamour dust and some white flowersoft.

The backing paper is from K&Co, with a sentiment from Whimsy. The die cut tree is from Memory Box and the banner is LalaLand. The ribbon, charm and dewdrops are from stash, and I've added some stitching.

Hope you like it!

I'll make a concerted effort to visit all your wonderful blogs - and apologise for being a very bad blogger at the moment! There never seems to be enough hours in the day sometimes!

Sunday, 1 December 2013

I feel like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland - I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date.....! Not for the first time though lol! And I can't believe it's December 1st! Oh my goodness, Christmas isn't just sneaking up anymore - it's rushing towards me at full steam! The Advent Calendar went up last night. I made a fabric one many years with little pockets for chocolate treats (and doggy treats - heaven forbid we leave Tilly the Dog out!). I had thought this year that maybe they wouldn't be bothered about having the Advent calendar being as our two offspring at home are 20 and 15 years old. However, that suggestion was met with a look of horror - so out came the calendar and the chocolate! Hey ho. I just have a feeling that I still be getting it out and putting chocolates in even when they've left home and got their own homes....

And apologies for my absence around Blogland - a combination of decorating at home and being full of a stinky cold have somewhat reduced my crafting time or inclination lol! Roll on holidays...

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge over at Joanna Sheen and this time it's a month-long challenge and all the DT taking part and the fantastic prize of £30 voucher to spend in Joanna's store! The theme for this special challenge is 'Make it Sparkle'

I've used a sweet image and papers from the House Mouse Christmas projects cd. I've added some glamour dust to the snow for extra sparkle! The spotty sheer ribbon is from Joanna's and the glittery heart and snowflake charm are from stash. The snowflakes are made using a Tonic punch.

So do have a look at the fabulous sparkly inspiration from the DT over at Joanna Sheen!

Friday, 29 November 2013

Good morning all and I hope that your week has gone well? The usual busy sort here, and I've a feeling that I've got a busy weekend ahead with decorating starting! Hey ho. I just keep repeating the mantra that 'It'll all be worth it'!
Anyway, as it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz and this week we're getting in the seasonal mood and our lovely Nick has challenged us with the theme 'Santa Claus is coming to town' - so we'd like to see your cards or crafty creations that feature that famous old gentleman in red (or whatever colour you fancy dressing him in!).

So a very traditional image on mine! The topper is from Joanna Sheen's 'Enchanted Christmas' cd. The backing papers are from First Edition. I've added some twine and a sleigh-shaped button that I had in my stash! The holly corner die is from Cheery Lynn with some red pearl 'berries'.

I hope you'll join us with your Santa creations at CraftyCatz, and do have a look at the wonderful variety of Santa images on all the DT's inspirational makes!

Monday, 25 November 2013

Hello all and I hope that you had a good weekend - and that your Monday hasn't been too hard! I had a busy weekend clearing up after we had a plasterer in last week - it's quite amazing how much cleaning up all the white plastery dust needs. The path to the front door was lined with white footprints - looked like Santa's boot prints up to the step lol! I'll just be glad when we get it all painted, hopefully in the next week or so - just as long as I can get my house into some sort of order before the chaos of Christmas hits! I can't believe it's Christmas a month today, the last few months seem to have vanished in a flash.....

Anyway, just wanted to share (yet another!) Christmas card with you - this one using the gorgeous 'Holly' from Wee Stamps

Isn't she cute? I've coloured her with a mix of copics and Graph-it pens, with some glossy accents and glamour dust for Christmassy sparkle!

The backing papers are from LOTV, with some added stitching, lace & ribbon from stash. I also found the cute little tree charm in my box. The tag has a recipe stamp on it - also from LOTV.

Friday, 22 November 2013

Hello all and I hope that you've had a good week? Yippee - it's Friday! But as we've had a plasterer in for the last few days doing our hall, stairs and landing, I can imagine that most of my weekend is going to be spent in the exciting activity of cleaning up and trying to put my house back together a bit before we start decorating it in another week or so.... What joy.....!

A very warm welcome to my two new followers - I'm delighted that you would like to follow my crafting exploits, but do be prepared for a fair amount of waffling too!

As it's Friday it's time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz - and this week our lovely Jac has challenged us with 'Bags and Tags'! But don't panic, the key part is the tag so we would love to see your tag creations.
I've used a sentiment from one of our sponsors this week 'DigiStamps 4 Joy' and made a gift bag from an envelope and, of course, added the tag!

There is a tutorial (which was on my blog not long ago) for how I make these little gift bags from envelopes HERE

I've added some DooHickey doiley flowers with pearly centres, with dew drops and buttons from stash. The sheer ribbon is from Joanna Sheen. The sentiment on the tag is from LOTV.

Do have a look at the great creations from the DT for inspiration - they've made some fantastic things! And then join us at CraftyCatz with your tag creations.

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Hello all and I hope that your week is going well? Definitely on the chilly side in our little corner of north west UK - a good thick coating of ice over everything this morning! Winter is obviously on it's way!

I'm starting to feel that maybe I should apologise - yet another Christmas card to share with you! It's just that once I get into the Christmas card making mood it's probably better that I just carry on lol! We have quite a few that we need for family, friends, etc., although I'll need to buy some as well - don't think I'll manage to make all the ones we need!

Anyway, this one was made using the sweet 'Star of Bethlehem' from Crissy's Digis at Whimsy

I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers with some chalks in the background.

I have to confess that I can't remember where the backing paper was from - apologies. I used a Spellbinders 'edgeabilities' and used the 'waste' on the other edge. The flowers are from WOC with some Cosmic Shimmer spray on the large rose and ribbon from stash.

The snowflakes are from an 'All Occasions' die with some pearl drop centres. The star is using a Joanna Sheen die and the sentiment is also from Whimsy.

Sunday, 17 November 2013

Hello all and I hope you've had a good weekend? The usual sort of weekend here, comings and goings, laundry (yuck!), cooking and general housekeeping! Tilly the Dog was feeling a bit unwell yesterday, obviously had tummy aches and kept pacing around the house - she must have walked miles by teatime lol! But thankfully she had a good night's sleep and seems back to her normal cheeky self today. Considering the fact that she acts like a vacuum cleaner sometimes and has a very nasty habit of picking up and eating all sorts of nasty bits and pieces, it's not surprising that she gets the occasional tummy ache! I sometimes wonder why I faff about buying all this holistic, high quality food if she's just going to hoover up rubbish!

Anyway, on the theme of animals I thought I'd share this card with you today

Apologies for the poor lighting on this one - now that the days are very short I must get myself organised and get photos done in the morning!

The sweet image is from LOTV and I've coloured it with copics and promarkers, with a little added glamour dust!

The papers are from LOTV, with some kraft card and coredinations card that's sanded back a little. The gingham ribbon is from Joanna Sheen and the gold baubles and stocking charm are from stash. I've added some red dewdrops too, with some pompom trim and hessian ribbon.

Hope you like it!

Before I go I thought I'd share a quick pic of our Grumpy Poppy with you - she's "chillin' out" on the sofa next to me as I write this and my daughter's just taken this pic of her!

My pets are so badly treated and live such a deprived life..... NOT! Lol!

Friday, 15 November 2013

Hello all and I hope that you've had a good week? We've had a pretty good one, albeit a busy one! But looking forward to a quiet evening as all offspring are out and sleeping over at friends so it means that hubby and I can have a relaxing evening to ourselves (although not forgetting an attention seeking dog and an equally demanding cat).

I must apologise to my DT team mates at CraftyCatz for being so late in sharing my creation for the fabulous new challenge starting today! I usually schedule a post in - but my poor addled brain forgot last night! Oops! Anyway, our lovely Christine has challenged us to create anything - but not a square! I've made a very long thin DL shape card

I've used a lovely sentiment from Whimsy for the main focus, the paper is from First Edition. I've added some red ribbon from stash - as is the sweet wooden rocking horse (can't remember where I got that from!), with a large fabric covered brad from K&Co. I've added a couple of die cut poinsettias using Marianne dies.

So quite a simple one from me, but I love the sentiment!

So do pop over to CraftyCatz and see the fabulous DT inspiration - they have made some fantastic creations this week!

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Hello all and a quick one from me - it seems to have been a busy couple of days (yet again!). Tilly the Dog is pleased to report that it appears that the fireworks have finished - at last! And busy as usual at work for me too! I can't believe the change from my old job a few months ago when I was working on my own 99% of the time, in a very quiet office, to now being with a great team of people and this afternoon it seemed as though there was an attempt going on at one of the world records with how many teachers and staff can you fit into an office at one time lol! But great fun, and at least it means the days pass very quickly!

Anyway, this card was made for a colleague who wanted the specific wording and a fairly clean and simple card, so I made this and she seemed very pleased with it so I hope it fitted the bill! But, my goodness, I do find it quite a challenge to do CAS and have to really restrain myself from adding any extras!

It was a 4" square card (as requested). The gorgeous flower stamp is from Chocolate Baroque with the sentiment printed from the computer. I've coloured the image with copics

Sunday, 10 November 2013

Hello all and I hope that you're having a good weekend? A really frosty start to the day here - but with glorious sunshine, so I'm not complaining! I must admit to getting a bit fed up with the fireworks now - more on Friday night and then again last night. Tilly the Dog is so not impressed and paces all round the house, panting and looking bewildered (mind you, she looks quite confused a lot of the time really!). And to top it all we had a very loud thunderstorm in the early hours of Saturday so I had to come and sit downstairs with a book to keep her company until it passed (she was shaking like a leaf, bless). Anyway, she's a happy furry pudding again this morning and waiting patiently in the kitchen with her dad while he makes his toast (which they always share!).

Another Christmas card from me today to share with you. I usually tend to use the more traditional Christmas colours on cards, but thought I'd go for a girly pink on this one!

I've used one of my favourite Christmas stamps from LOTV and I've coloured the image with copics and added (lots!) of glamour dust!

The backing papers are from First Edition and LOTV. I've added some lace and a snowflake charm from stash, and the sentiment is from LOTV. Even the flowers from WOC didn't escape the glamour dust treatment!

Friday, 8 November 2013

Hello all and a scheduled post from me (so hoping that Mr Blogger plays nicely!) - and time for a new challenge over at CraftyCatz! Our lovely Linda has given us a photo for inspiration - so we'd love to see how it inspires you!

Our sponsor for this week is the fabulous Saturated Canary - with 2 digis for the winner! I've used 'Springtime' for my card today (so NOT a Christmas card lol!)

I've coloured the image with copics and promarkers

The backing paper is from First Edition and then I've added lots of flowers die cut with Spellbinders 'blossoms' with buttons from stash! The sentiment stamp and die is from Whimsy. So lots of bright colours from me - hope you like it!

So do pop over to see the fantastic inspiration from the Design Team and then join us at CraftyCatz with your creation!

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Hello all and I hope that your week has started well? It's Bonfire Night here in the UK - so currently trying to distract a wimp of a dog with toys and treats so she doesn't stress too much about all the noises from the fireworks! Hey ho.

But in between all the whizzes and bangs, I thought I'd share another Christmas card with you

I've used the fabulous Winter Fairy Talva from that oh so talented pencil of Mo Manning! I've coloured the image with copics and added lots of glamour dust!

The backing papers are from LOTV, as is the sentiment. The holly leaves are using Joanna Sheen's signature dies. The silver bell and berries are from stash and the sheer red ribbon is from Joanna Sheen.

Sunday, 3 November 2013

Hello all and I hope that your weekend has been going well. Thank you for all your lovely comments on my cards recently - they mean so much! Have you had your fireworks yet? There was a big display about a mile or so away from us last night and Tilly the Dog coped pretty well with all the noises. She's not keen, but doesn't completely panic - and we usually have lots of toys, etc., at the ready to distract her attention. Grumpy Poppy just sat on the sofa with us - and ignored it all! Mind you, the weather probably helped dull the noise a bit as it was so windy and rainy! I felt sorry for all those who were out watching fireworks, but secretly relieved on behalf of all the animals who really don't enjoy the fireworks!

Anyway, it's time for a new challenge over at Joanna Sheen and this one is 'Food for Thought' so we want to see lovely food on your creations! And remember, to be in with a chance of winning the £15 voucher for Joanna Sheen, you will need to use a Joanna Sheen product on your crafty creation.

Quite a simple one from me this time! I've used one of the gorgeous decoupage sheets with those cute House Mouse designs on - and they're obviously enjoying their baking! I've added an embossed panel, roses from WOC, a Poppystamps 'meadow leaf' die cut and a Memory Box 'precious heart' die cut. The lace and buttons are from stash.